Question reference: S5W-33199
- Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 12 November 2020
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has provided to Serco NorthLink Ferries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what impact this has had on subsidy levels in its (a) 2012-20 and (b) current contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services.
Answer
To date the Scottish Government has provided additional funding of £7.5m to Serco NorthLink Ferries in order to enable the operator to respond to the financial pressures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This additional funding allows Serco NorthLink Ferries to cover costs in the face of depressed passenger revenues as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions and reduced capacity on their lifeline services.
There is no further forecast impact on the yearly contractual subsidy levels in (a) 2012-20 and (b) current contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services.